Flying Business Class

Business Class Is Back. But Is It Worth The Cost?

"This makes being on-board as relaxing as being at home," says Strobl about Austrian's new "fully flat" seat, which lays out to almost 6.5 feet long and 2 feet wide.

The seat technology is complemented by other fun gadgets and gizmos. Most airlines offer a personal 12- to 18-inch flatscreen television display, electronic power ports, on-board Wi-Fi, multi-course gourmet meals, and an amenity pouch containing little travel knick-knacks, like a sleeping mask, a shoehorn and earbuds.

Some airlines are also introducing features to differentiate themselves from the fleet. Virgin Atlantic's approximately $168 million "New Upper Class" investment last year includes a full-service airplane bar. Air France introduced an on-board food menu in February by Bocuse d'Or winner and two-Michelin star chef Michel Rot. On my Austrian flight, an actual chef is present to deliver hands-on attention to garnish dishes before they're served to guests.

The Verdict

There’s no doubt about it — life in business class is sweet. But the question is whether it’s worth the purchase on your own dime.

Well, the answer is that it depends on the size of your wallet. Chances are, as an average professional, you're flying internationally for pleasure. That means that splurging on business class would burn a hole through your vacation fund before you even got to the destination. You'd end up having to go down a hotel star or two to compensate. On the other hand, by forgoing business class, you might even have enough money to double your stay.

On Air Canada's website in November, booking a January trip from Toronto to Rome in business class would cost around $4,850, while economy would be $980. That’s nearly $4,000 either saved or added to your travel budget in other areas. On Virgin Atlantic, the difference between a business vs. economy class trip from Los Angeles to London was just over $5,100.

But sometimes the journey is simply too far to handle in the clutches of an economy cabin. A non-stop flight from New York to Hong Kong is almost 16 hours. (Good God.) That's why airlines are tailoring premium features as business class alternatives to give a small fix of the luxe experience. Most airlines call it "Economy Plus" or "Premium Economy," which offers a more comfortable experience for a couple of hundred dollars extra (usually a bigger seat and more legroom). Cathay Pacific offers that flight route in premium economy for $2,365 vs. $1,600 for economy, giving you very respectable comfort and savings of more than $6,000 by skipping that business class ticket.

Instead of a labeled middle ground, Austrian Airlines' "Red Service" allows you to specifically customize different features, like allowing passengers to reserve a seat with "enlarged legroom at the exit row" for about $100 extra per flight. Air Canada offers a yearly membership to their airport lounge, starting at $365, in case you just want to reap those benefits while sticking to your coach ticket.

It's clear that business class is back, and it'll make you feel like a captain. But is it worth it? If you’re rolling in money, absolutely. If you’re a young guy with an average income, not quite. With all that money saved, I'd rather feel like a captain at my destination than for the few hours I'm in the sky.